Peach pitter



L. W. WATERS May 1, 1951 PEACH PITTER 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1948 y 1951 w. WATERS 2,551,076

' PEACH PITTER Filed Aug. 6,' 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1951 L. w. WATERS 2,551,076

PEACH PITTER Filed Aug. 6, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 y if m M W w. WATERS 2,551,076

May 1, 1951 PEACH PITTER 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 6, 1948 /Zla.

y 1951 w. WATERS 2,551,076

PEACH PITTER Filed Aug. 6, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 y 1951 1.. w. WATERS 2,551,076

PEACH PITTER Filed Aug. 6, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 v Fla/0 y 1, 1951 w. WATERS 2,551,076

i PEACH PITTER Filed Aug. 6, 194a 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 MWiiA/(i m P1417595 3) Fla. /4 M Patented May l, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PEACH PITTER Lawrence Waters, Ontario, Ca' lifi, assignorto Atlas imperial :Diesel Engine 100., Oakland, Calif., a comoration of Delaware Application August 6, 1948, Serial N0.12,.7.7.0

-8 "Qlai This invention-relates to a peach pitter. More particularly, it relates to a machine for removing split pits from halves of peaches.

It irequentlylhappensin peach pitting operations, wherein a peach is split into :halves and the meat is .separate'difrom the pit, that the pit itself splits into .two halves and :each half pit split pits from peach halves is difiicult and tedious to carry out.

It is an object-of this invention "to "provide a machine which rapidly fafnd 'efiiciently removes split pits from peach halves,

It is a further object of this invention to pro-. vide .a fully automatic "machine which will rapidly scoop out and remove pits :from peach halves "with a minimum of wastage -.-of the meat of the fruit.

It is a particular object of thisiinvention to provide a machine for removing split pits from peach halves which performs the pitting uefiiciently and rapidly and which does not deform the fruit.

These and other objectsof vthe invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appendedclaims.

One form which the inventionmay assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by wayof example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 isa side elevation of the machine.

7 Fig. .2 is .an .end elevation as viewed from the right-hand endof the machine in .Fig. 1.

Fig. 3.is .a partial longitudinal section through the machine along .the limit- 3 of Fig. 2. t

v Fig. 4 is a vertical, transverse section taken along the line 44 :of .Fig. 3, showing the topping cutter assembly in end elevation.

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the .-1ine:5-5 of Fig. 4, showing certain-details of the topping=cut ter assembly. 7

Fig. 6 is a vertical mid-section taken along the line 6-15 of Fig. 3, showing details of the pitter head assembly and showing the pitting knife in its initial, vertical position before commencing the pitting out.

Fig. '7 is a View similar to that of Fig. '6 but showing certain parts in elevation and also showing the pitting knife in a different position.

Fig. .8 .is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the.line.8-.-8 of Fig. 6, showing certainde 2 tails of the pitting knife andof the means for actuating the same.

Fig. 9 is a section taken along the line 99 of Fig. 8, showing the pinion and the radial rack means for rotating the pitting knife about the axis of its spindle.

FigqlO is a plan view'of the pitting knife unit.

Fig. .11 is a plan view of one of the fruit cups, the mounting therefor and the cam means for moving the fruit cup away from "the :center line of the machine.

Fig. '12 isan elevational view of one of lthe fruit cups as viewed fromthe left .of Fig. '11.

Fig. 13 is a'section Laiong the line l3-l3 of Fig. -6 showing the. camfor pivoting the :pitter head and also showing a'release clutch embodied in :the

cam.

Fig. .14 is .a section along theline :I4l"4 of .3 showing theimotoremployed to operate the 'machine and ,theradjustable mounting for the same.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view :of :a modifiediorm .of pitting knife.

Referring now to the drawings and more 'particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a main framework 1 is provided including four upright posts 2 and horizontal members 3and .4,as shown. Aloading station is indicated at A at "the left or rear end of the machine as viewed in Fig. l, a topping station at B, a pittin station at (Z, and an unloading station at D at the extreme right-hand en of the machine. 7

Power is provided by means-of an electric moto ill having a .shaft H, a variable pitch pulley l2 secured to the shaft H, an extension shaft it (see Fig. ,14) and a pulley I4 secured to the .extension-shaft l3. The extension shaft 1&3 is journaled in .a sleeve 15 supported by a bracket 16, which in turn is secured to the motor mounting. The motor is mounted uponaslide I"! which rides .in trackways l8 bolted to the framework of the machine. .A screw 19 having a squared end :25 adapted to engage a tool is provided. The screw 49 passes at one end-through an angle beam 26 secured to the machine framework and is in threaded engagement at its other end with .a ilug 21 depending from the motor slide 11. Nuts 28 serve to retain the screw I?! in adjusted position. By turning the screw I19, the longitudinal :position of the rnotor til is adjusted to adjust "the effective diameter ;0f the pulley I2 and thus the speed of the machine.

A transmission is also provided comprising a speed reducer 29 bolted to the main "framework of the machine and having on one (side, :a shaft .55 .30 to which is secured :a fixed diameter pulley 3! and, on the other side, a shaft 32 to which is secured a sprocket 33. A V-belt 34 is trained about the pulleys I2 and 31. A main conveyor shaft 35 is journaled in bearing blocks 40 secured to the machine framework and is rotated by means of a chain 4| trained about the sprocket 33 and about a sprocket 42 secured to the main conveyor shaft. As shown in Fig. 2, two conveyor sprockets 43 are secured to the main conveyor shaft, each of which engages a conveyor chain 44. At the opposite end of the machine, or at the left as viewed in Fig. 1, similar conveyor sprockets 4311, are secured to a second conveyor shaft 351a, which is journaled in bearing blocks 45 secured to the machine framework. A track or guide 46, secured as shown to the machine framework, is provided along the upper course of each conveyor chain 44 to insure proper alignment and to prevent sagging of the chain.

A plurality of uniformly spaced fruit conveyors, generally designated as 41, are secured to each of the conveyor chains 44. As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the fruit conveyors 41 are in pairs and a cross-bar 48 is provided joining the members of each pair. As shown in Figs. 2 and 11, each fruit conveyor comprises a fruit cup 49 having radial grooves 55 formed on its inner surface and provided with a generally V-shaped opening 56 on each side of the cup in longitudinal alignment with the machine, so as to present an open passage through the cup in the direction of move ment thereof. The cup mounting comprises two separate sections, i. e., an outer section integral with the cup and an inner section 51a pivotally secured to the cross-bar 48 at 58. The inner section 5111 is secured to a link of the conveyor chain 44 by means of a bracket 59 and is provided with a roller 60 journalled in lugs BI extending upwardly from the inner section. The outer section 51 is secured to the inner section 51a in a manner to allow outward displacement of the fruit cup, by means of pins 62, each fixed at one end in the outer section 51 and slidably received at its other end within a socket 63. A coil spring 64 is disposed on each side of the mounting, being secured at one end to a pin 65 projecting from section 51 and at its other end to a pin 66 secured to the section 51a, the springs 64 serving to yieldably hold the inner and outer sections of the fruit cup mounting together and thus to hold the fruit cup inwardly toward the center line of the machine. The outer section 51 is also provided with a roller 6! mounted on a finger 68. The purpose and functioning of the rollers 60 and B1 and of the slidable connection between the inner and outer sections of the fruit cup mounting are explained hereinafter.

Peach halves I5 are deposited manually in the fruit cups at the loading station A and travel forwardly for a topping operation to be performed at the topping station B. At this station there is provided a topping cutter generally designated as I6. It will be understood that there are two such topping cutters, one on each side of the machine, which are identical in structure and function but oppositely disposed.

Referring more particularly toFigs, 3, 4 and 5, a topping cutter support bracket 11, secured at its lower end to the main framework of the machine, carries, at its upper end one end of a countershaft I8 which is suitably journaled therein. The other end of the countershaft I8 is journaled in a similar bracket on the opposite side of the machine. An L-shaped arm I9 is pivotally supported by a sleeve 80 upon the countershaft to the main framework of the machine.

4. I8. An arm 8I extending laterally from the main bracket I1 is provided at its outer end with an adjustable stop screw and nut 82 which serve to limit the downward pivotal movement of the arm I9.

Depending from and integral with the arm 79, at the angle of the L, is a main bearing 83, and secured to the arm 19 at its inner end, by means of a key 84, a keyway 85 and cap screws 86, is a removable outboard bearing 90. Journaled in the main bearing 83 is a main spindle 9|, to which is secured a shaft 92. One end of a removable arbor 93 is keyed to the main spindle at 94 and, at its opposite end, is journaled in the removable outboard bearing 90. A pair of cylindrical cutting knives 95 of known construction and having cutting blades 9511, are keyed to the arbor 93 at 9B and therebetween is disposed a fixed shoulder 97 adjustably secured at 98 to a bracket 99 secured to the arm 19. At its lower end, the fixed shoulder 91 carries a depth gauge I00, which functions to gauge the depth of the topping cut. Ring nuts IOI secure the knives 95 in place upon the arbor 93. As shown more clearly in Fig. 5, guards I92 are provided, being secured to the arm I9 at I03, and as shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, a cam I04 is also provided, being secured to a bracket I05 bolted to the outboard bearing 99 and being provided with lobes I06 and I0! and with an intermediate recessed area I08.

To'rotate the shaft 92, and with it the spindle 9I, arbor 93 and knives 95, a pulley I20 is secured to the shaft 92 and pulleys I2I and I22 to the countershaft I8. A V-belt I23 is trained about the pulley I 2I and the pulley I4 on the motor extension shaft I3 and another V-belt I23a is trained about the pulleys I20 and I22. It will be seen that, as the motor I0 is operated, the upper course of the conveyor chains 44, and with them the fruit cups 49, will move from the left end to the right end of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1. As a roller 60 contacts the first lobe I09 of the cam I04, it will pivot the topping cutter l6 and its arm I9 on the countershaft I8, thus causing the topping cutter to clear the fruit while the same is being brought into proper alignment with the cutting knives 95. After the roller passes the lobe I06, the topping cutter will pivot downwardly to bring the knives 95 into appropriate position for cutting the fruit. The depth gauge I00, which will have been adjusted previously, will gauge the depth of cutting of the fruit. As will be seen in Fig. 4, the depth gauge is located directly over the center of the fruit and thus bears against the pit of the fruit. By appropriate adjustment of the gauge, the depth of out can be regulated to any desired degree, preferably down to the level of the pit. The rotating cylindrical cutters function to remove any meat overlying the pit so as to condition the fruit properly for the subsequent pitting operation. As the fruit cup moves forwardly, the roller 60 will contact the second lobe l0! of the cam I04, th-us pivoting the cutter upwardly to clear it from the fruit and allow the fruit to pass forwardly to the pitting station.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, each of two identical but oppositely disposed pitting units I25 comprises a pitter head I26 rotatably mounted on a shaft I2? to the ends of which are clamped arms I29 of a yoke I29. The opposite ends of the arms I23 are pivotally mounted upon a single countershaft I99, which is journaled in bearing blocks I3I mounted on frame brackets I32 which, in turn, are secured The other end of the recess I51.

pitter head 126 is rotated by the main conveyor shaft 3-5 through the medium of a sprocket I33 afiixed thereto, sprockets I34 and I35 secured to the 'countershaft I39 and a sprocket I36 secured to the pitter head shaft I21. Two idler sprockets I31 are provided, each carried on a stub shaft I38 journal'ed in a bracket I39 secured to the machine framework, and a chain 440 trained over the idler sprockets I31 and over the main countershaft sprocket I34 is in mesh with the conveyor shaft sprocket I33. A chain III is trained over the sprockets I35 and I36.

. The pitter head I26 comprises a main casting I49 having four lobes I60 disposed at 90 with respect to one another and each having a roller IS-I for a purpose described hereinafter. As shown more clearly in Fig. 6, the casting I49 is mounted upon a bus-hing I52 secured to the pitter head shaft 121, and a driving connection between the sprocket I36 and the casting M9 is provided as follows. A cam 152 is secured to the sprocket I36 by means of countersunk cap screws I54. a-A pin I55 received within a socket I56 formed in the casting has one end in a recess I51 formed in the cam (see also Fig. 13-), wherein it bears against one end of a coil spring I58, the opposite end of which bears against the The driving connection thus provided between the sprockets I36 and the pitter head casting I26 provides a form of release clutch, the purpose 'of which is described and explained hereinafter.

As will be seen from Fig. thecam I53 is provided with four lobes I69 spaced e'qui-angularly about the axis of the pi-tter head shaft. At the opposite or inner end of the pitter head shaft, and secured thereto, is a stationary contour cam 464, this cam being provided with a rise or high dwell 1 62 of circular radius, a shoulder i 63 and alow point I64 (see Fig. 3

As shown more clearly in Fig. =8, a rotary pitting unit is provided in each lobe 15B of the casting 149 comprising a bowl shaped rotary pitter knife I16 secured to a spindle shaft -I1I journaled in a yoke H2. Stub shafts H3 and i1 4 integral with the yoke I12 are journa-led in arms 115 of the pitter head casting. A quadrant gear I16 is secured to the stub shaft I13 and meshes with another quadrant gear I11 secured to a shaft I1 8 journaled in a bracket I19 integral with the pitter head casting. Also secured to the shaft I18 is a U-shaped pivot arm I86 and a roller I8-I is mounted on a shaft I82 between the legs of the U. A spring I83 is provided which is coiled about the shaft I18 and is secured at 194 to the quadrant gear I11 and bears, at its other end, against the pitter head casting at M5, as shown in Fig. 6. As described in detail hereinafter, the quadrant gears I16 and 11 and the spring I63 serve to rock the pitter knife unit from a vertical position as shown in Fig. 6 through an angle greater than 90 to the .inclinecl position shown in Fig. 7.

The pitter knife I is also mounted for rotation about the axis of its spindle I1 I, and means are provided for imparting such rotation to the pitter knife. As will be seen in Fig. 8, the yoke I12 comprises outer segments 12a and 412b, which are journaled in the pitter head casting as described above. and an inner segment 19!], the spindle I1! being journaled in the inner segment I 9 0. The inner segment 96 is rotatably supported between brackets IQI and I92 extending upwardly from outer yoke segments H212 and. H219, by means of a shaft I93 .jour-naleid in the bracket I9II and extending through and secured to a bearing bracket 199a extending upwardly from the segment I991 At its outer end,

the shaft I93 is provided with a pinion I 94 which 5 meshes with a radial rack I915 bolted to the pitter head casting. At its inner end, the shaft I 93 is provided with a bevel gear I96 meshing with a bevel gear I91 carried on the spindle I1I. The upper end of the spindle is journaled in a bearing I99 which is rotatably supported upon a pin I99 secured to the bracket I92. As shown most clearly in Fig. 6, the angular position of the spindle I11 and knife I19 is adjustable by means of coil spring 206 compressed between the bearing I98 and a bracket 26I bolted to the quadrant gear I16, and a stop screw 262 in threaded engagement with the bracket 2Ill.

A plate 293 is also provided, being suitably bolted to the pitter head casting as at 294 and having an opening 265 formed therein to receive the pitter knife I16. Also provided are pit locaters 286 suitably secured to the pitter head casting, and having locater points 298. The plate 293 is best seen in Fig. '1 and the pit looater in Fig. 6.

It will be seen that, as the pitter head I26 is rotated upon the shaft I 21, the rollers I8I will, in sequence, ride up the low point I64 of the contour cam I6I. As each roller I8I rides up the low point I64 to the high dwell or circular section I62 of the cam, the shaft I18 associated with such roller will be rotated clockwise as viewed in Fig. -6, thus rotating the quadrant gear I11 clockwise, loading the spring I83 and rotating the quadrant gear I16 counter-clockwise. Thus, the spring I83 is loaded and the rotary pitter knife HE is aligned vertically. When the roller I8l rides off the shoulder I63 of the cam !6I, tension is released on the spring I83, which rotates the shaft "I18 and quadrant gears I11 and I16 in the opposite direction. This results in rotating the pitter knife through more than 90 to the position shown in Fig. '7. Such movement of the pitter knife is eifective in cutting the pit free from the meat and in scooping it out of the fruit. As the knife is returned to vertical position by further angular movement. of the pitter head, the pit drops out of the knife into a slop trough described hereinafter.

Meanwhile, as the pitter knife is rotated from vertical to below horizontal position, the pinion I94 engaging rack I95 causes the pitter knife, through the medium of shaft E93 and bevel gears I96 and I91, to rotate about its spindle axis. Also, since the pitter knife is rotatably supported between the outer segments H211 and I121) of the yoke I12, and is held yieldably in a predetermined. position with respect to the yoke by means of spring .266 and stop screw 202, the pitter knife is free to assume any angular position and thus toaccommodate itself to pits of varying size, shape and degree of roughness.

The machine is further provided with a slop trough 2I9 secured to the main framework and underlying the upper course of each conveyor chain 44, and wipers 229 are also provided for each half of the machine, each wiper being secured to and depending from a fruit cup mounting 51 and including a leather strip 22L Pit 70 deflectors 222 are also provided, one for each half of the machine and secured to a frame bracket I32. A pan 223 is also provided, and a chute 22-! leads from the forward or right-hand end (as viewed in Fig. 1 of each slop trough 76 2 I9 to the pan 223. A chute 225 is provided forv draining the pan 223. At the right-hand of unloading end of the machine, a pair of curved guide fingers 226 are provided, one for each half of the machine. Each guide finger 226 is so disposed that, as a fruit cup 49 containing a pitted fruit 15 moves downwardly, the finger 226 is received in the channel 56 formed in the fruit cup and underneath the fruit, and the finger 226 has, at 221, a curvature such that as the fruit cup continues on its downward path, the fruit bears against the finger with increasing pressure and is thus ejected from the cup. Any suitable equipment, such as a ramp 2-28 and a conveyor belt 229 carried on a roller 23!), may be provided to receive the pitted fruit and carry it away.

In operation, fruit is loaded at A and is topped at B, as described hereinabove, and continues forwardly to the pitting station C. By timed rotation of the pitter head I26 about the shaft I21, a pitting unit is brought into pitting position as a fruit cup is brought into alignment with the pitter head. As described hereinabove, the pitter knife IHI is rotated from vertical position through somewhat more than 90 and back again to vertical position, and is also rotated about its spindle axis, in properly timed relation to travel of the fruit cups, so as to make the pitting cut, Scoop out the pit and drop it upon the pit deflector 222, which deflects the pit into the slop trough 219 or chute 224. As shown in Fig. '7, the pitter knife is rotated to a position wherein it is inclined upwardly from the spindle I II to the knife I 5'6, and when in this position the spindle I H lies in the stem groove 25!] of the fruit with the tip of the knife protruding above the level of the fruit. The pit is thus completely and cleanly severed from the fruit. During the cutting operation, the plate 203 rests on the surface of the fruit, holding it level and steady. The locater points 208 serve also to hold the pit and fruit in position and as a guide for the knife I during its initial downward movement. Thereafter, the pit itself serves as a guide for guiding the knife and as a gauge for gauging the depth of cut. To provide for clearance and for presentation of the fruit to the pitting knife at the proper moment in its sequence of movements, each fruit cup 49 is first moved away from the center line of the machine and then toward the center line. This is accomplished by means of a cam 23I secured to the machine framework on each side thereof and somewhat in advance of the pitting station. The cam 23I has a diagonal section 232 which, as is best shown in Fig. 11, deflects the roller 61, and with it moves the fruit cup 49, away from the center line of the machine. As the roller rides off the forward end of the cam, the springs 64 draw the fruit cup back toward the center line of the machine and in alignment with the pitter knife.

Between pitting cuts, the entire pitter head is pivoted upwardly on the countershaft I30, by means of a roller 233 mounted on a bracket 2-34 adjustably secured at 235 to a frame bracket 236. As a lobe I60 of the cam I53 (see Fig. 13) contacts the roller 233, the pitter head is caused to pivot upwardly, the lobes I65 being so designed and disposed as to lift the pitter head after the pitting out has been accomplished and to return the pitter head to pitting position for the next pitting cut.

Provision is also made for accelerating the rotary movements of the pitter knife I10 during the pitting operation. This is accomplished by means of the rollers I5I on the pitter head casting I49 and the fingers 68 on the fruit cup mountings 51. The fingers 68 and the rollers I5I are so disposed that a finger 68 contacts a roller I5I at the commencement of a pitting cut. Further forward, linear motion of the finger 68 accelerates the angular motion of the pitter head, hence the rotary speed of the shaft I18 and quadrant gears I16 and I'll and the rotary motions of the pitter knife I10. Such acceleration is made possible by reason of the relief clutch embodied in the cam I53 and pitter head casting I49 and described hereinabove.

Referring now to Fig. 15, there is shown an alternative form of cutting knife I10. This form of knife, instead of having solid walls as shown in the other figures, is of open construction, having arms 25I and 252 and a cutting edge or rim 253 as shown. This form of knife is advantageous in that it drops the severed pit more readily, as well as for other reasons.

It will thus be seen that a machine has been provided which efficiently and rapidly pits fruit halves, such as peach halves containing split pits. The machine embodies several advantageous features, such as an efficient topping unit; a pitting unit embodying features that ensure accurate alignment of the fruit and pitting knife and rapid, clean removal of the pit, proper timing of the several operations, etc.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. A pitting machine comprising a pitter head supported for rotation, a plurality of pitting units carried by said pitter head and disposed radially about the rotary axis thereof, each said pitting unit comprising a pitting knife and a pitting knife support, said knife being rotatable in said knife support and said knife support being oscillatable in said pitter head, the rotary and oscillatory axes of said knife and knife support being mutually perpendicular, means for oscillating each said knife support in said pitter head and means for simultaneously rotating each said knife in said knife support, said oscillating and rotating means being operable when a pitting unit is in a predetermined rotary position and also being operable to oscillate said knife support through an angle of approximately degrees.

2. A pitting machine comprising a pitter head supported for rotation, at least one pitting unit carried by said pitter head and comprising a pitting knife support and a pitting knife, said knife being rotatable in said knife support and said knife support being oscillatable in said pitter head, the rotary and oscillatory axes of said knife and knife support being mutually perpendicular, and cam means actuated by rotation of said pitter head for simultaneously rotating said knife and oscillating said knife support.

3. A pitting machine comprising a pitter head, a-pivotal support for said pitter head, said pitter head being rotatable in said pivotal support, a plurality of pitting units carried by and disposed radially about the rotary axis of said pitter head, each said pitting unit comprising a pitting knife having a spindle and supported for rotation about its spindle axis and for oscillation of the knife and spindle about an axis perpendicular to said spindle axis, means actuated by rotation of said pitter head for rotating said knife about its spindle axis and simultaneously oscillating said knife and spindle about said perpendicular axis, and means for periodically pivoting said pitter head on its pivotal support.

4. A fruit topping machine comprising a topping unit including a rotary knife supported for rotation about a rotary axis and for pivoting about a pivotal axis, a continuous fruit conveyor, means for rotating said knife about its rotary axis, a cam having forward and rearward lobes and an intermediate recessed portion afiixed to said topping unit, and a plurality of spaced cam followers afiixed to said conveyor, said cam and cam followers being so disposed as to pivot said knife to clear each fruit upon approach and exit thereof to and from said knife, and to pivot said knife to cutting position when each fruit is in alignment therewith.

5. A rotary cutter comprising a main framework, a continuous conveyor supported by said framework and having a plurality of spaced members secured thereto adapted to hold fruit or the like, an arm pivotally supported above said conveyor, a shaft supported by said arm for rotation therein, a rotary cutter blade supported by said shaft for rotation therewith, a cam supported by said arm and spaced cam followers secured to said conveyor, said cam and cam followers being so disposed as to oscillate said arm about its pivotal axis in timed relation to movement of said conveyor to clear said blade of said fruit holding members as each such member approaches and leaves a cutting position and to present said blade to each said member when at a cutting position.

6. A pitting machine comprising a rotatable pitter head having at least one pitter unit comprising a pitting knife support and a pitting knife, said knife being rotatably supported by said knife support and said knife support being rockably supported by said pitter head, the rotary axes of said knife and knife support being mutually perpendicular; and means for simultaneously rotating the knife and rocking the knife support to make a pitting out and toscoop out the severed pit, said means comprising a stationary cam, a

cam follower for said cam and a rotatable shaft fixed to said follower, and transmission means operatively connecting said shaft with the knife and knife support to simultaneously rotate the knife and rock the knife support.

7. A pitting machine comprising a rotatable pitter head having at least one pitter unit comprising a pitting knife support and a pitting knife, said knife being rotatably supported by said knife support and said knife support being supported on said pitter head for oscillatory movement so as to allow simultaneous spinning of the knife and oscillation of the knife support to make a pitting cut and scoop out the severed pit and then return to a rest position; and means for effecting said spinning and oscillatory movements comprising a stationary cam, a cam follower oscillated by the cam, a shaft operated by the cam follower to oscillate therewith, and transmission mean operatively connecting the shaft with the knife support and knife to oscillate the knife support and spin the knife.

8. A fruit trimming and topping machine adapted to trim and top a peach half, comprising a continuous conveyor, fruit holding means carried by the conveyor in spaced relationship and each adapted to hold a peach half with its base exposed, a rotary blade adapted to engage and trim the entire exposed surface of a peach half, means pivotally mounting said blade at a trimming station for rotation about an axis parallel and transverse to the conveyor and allowing oscillation of said axis toward and away from the conveyor, and cam means operated by travel of the conveyor for oscillating said blade to rock it away from the conveyor as each fruit approaches the trimming station, to rock it toward the conveyor to trim and top the fruit when at said station and to rock the blade away from the conveyor as the fruit leaves the trimming station.

LAWRENCE W. WATERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Australia Feb. 23, 1933 Number Number Australia Mar. 13, 1941 Australia June 22, 1944 

